The pub that changed me: 'It had some nefarious characters – but with lovely shoes'

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DreamNest

A decade ago, I was a young journalist working at a nightlife magazine, hanging out in some of the most infamous London gay bars and clubs. One place that stands out, though, was The Glory, an East London pub notorious for its outrageous antics and drag shows.

The Glory wasn't just a bar; it was a way of life. It offered an alternative to the more mainstream, muscled-up world of clubbing in London. Where else could you find underground drag contests like Lipsync1000 or watch your favorite queens get their stage time at the same place? I remember the night they went all out and covered the entire pub in gold foil – it was a sight to behold.

The Glory had its share of characters, some more colourful than others. There were those who stood out for their outrageous outfits, but just as often you'd meet someone who seemed harmless enough – until you got to know them better. In an East London queer scene that's notoriously competitive and well-connected, it's easy to spot a manipulator from a mile off.

But amidst all the chaos and unapologetic weirdness, The Glory was about community. It welcomed people of all stripes, straight and gay alike, who came together over drinks and good-natured teasing. And yes, there were those who pushed the boundaries of fashion sense – but hey, with lovely shoes on your feet, anything went.

The Glory taught me a valuable lesson that has stuck with me to this day: life is too short for shock value. What happens behind closed doors after midnight can be wild and wonderful, but it's nothing compared to the trials and tribulations we all face in our everyday lives. And in these trying times, being unflappable and accepting – particularly when it comes to people who don't fit the norm – is more essential than ever.

Looking back on my time at The Glory, I'm reminded of a decade that was as madcap as it was meaningful. It may be gone now, but its spirit lives on in me – a testament to the power of embracing our weirdness and loving everyone for who they are.
 
omg remember when we used to have those crazy london nights 🎉💃 at places like the glory? anyway i think that's why i'm still so old school about music nowadays, i mean what's wrong with just listening to your fave album on repeat instead of discovering new stuff all the time? the whole streaming thing is just too much for me 🤯📀 and can we talk about how much better the vibe was back then at gigs and festivals? everyone just seemed more chill and into the music itself, not just the social media aspect of it 😎👍
 
I'm proper gutted to hear about The Glory closing down 🤕 it's been such an important part of London's queer scene. I've always loved how it was like one big, loud family - everyone was welcome, regardless of what they looked like or who they were with. It's a shame that some places lose sight of that community vibe and just become about the party 🎉.

I totally agree with you about life being too short for shock value, though. I mean, let's not forget we're all human beings, deserving of respect and kindness 🤝. The Glory may be gone, but its legacy lives on in people like us who still believe in being accepting and unafraid to be ourselves 💖
 
the way the author looks back on the good old days at The Glory pub is really heartwarming 🌟 especially with how they highlight the importance of community and acceptance over all the craziness that went down behind closed doors it's like they're saying life is about finding balance in those wild moments and not getting too caught up in trying to shock people or fit into a certain mold anyway, even though The Glory pub itself might be gone, its spirit and message of self-love and acceptance can still live on 🌈💖
 
I'm totally wrong about The Glory being a great example of community 🤦‍♂️. I mean, it sounds all cool and accepting on the surface, but let's be real, it was still a pretty exclusive club that catered to a specific crowd. All those "characters" you're talking about? Just a bunch of people who felt like they didn't fit in elsewhere 😒. And don't even get me started on the outrageous outfits – just a way to draw attention and stand out from the crowd. I think we can all learn from The Glory's demise that true community is about more than just accepting weirdness, it's about inclusivity and representation too 🙄.
 
man i remember those days lol, like, i was still in college studying film production back then and used to sneak into some of those clubs with my friends 🤪 we'd watch the queens get ready, and i was always blown away by their talent 💃 anyway, it's sad that places like The Glory are gone but it's awesome to see how they've influenced a new generation of creatives and performers who are still pushing boundaries and celebrating individuality 🌈
 
🤣 man i remember those days at the glory like it was yesterday. i used to go there all the time with my friends from college, we'd have drinks and just be ourselves. those queens could bring the house down tho 🎉👯‍♀️. but yeah life is too short for shock value, that's somethin that stuck with me too. my grandad used to say that when i was a kid, 'back in my day...' lol.
 
man i feel like we've lost something special since The Glory closed down 🤕. those underground drag contests were literally the highlight of my nightlife life back then 💅🏻. but you know what's even more crazy? how fast things change in this city. remember when hoxton was still a thing? now it's all gentrified and overpriced 🤑. and don't even get me started on the state of east london pubs nowadays – they're all just so... sanitized 😒. anyway, i do think what that place taught us is still super important: be accepting and loving to everyone, regardless of how weird they are 👪. we need more places like that now more than ever 💕.
 
🌈💖 I had no idea The Glory had such an impact on you! It sounds like that place was truly one-of-a-kind - both wild and wonderful at the same time. I love how it brought people together from all walks of life, straight and gay alike. And those drag contests? 🤩 Legendary!

It's crazy to think about how much has changed since then, but some things remain the same. Community is still what matters most, especially in these times. Being unflappable and accepting can be a game-changer, trust me! 💪
 
I'm still trying to figure out this whole TikTok thing... remember when Instagram was all the rage? Anyway, I've been thinking about The Glory lately and how it was truly one-of-a-kind. I mean, can you imagine a London pub that's basically a drag show playground? 🤯 It's crazy to think about how far we've come since then – or are we just more comfortable hiding behind our screens now? 📱 I guess what I'm trying to say is, The Glory was all about embracing the weirdness and loving people for who they are. We could use a bit more of that in our lives today...
 
I feel so nostalgic reading about this place 🤗. The whole vibe of The Glory sounds like my own experiences in some of the underground clubs I used to frequent. It's amazing how it brought people together, even if they were from different worlds, you know? And the drag shows, man... that was something else! But what really resonates with me is the part about life being too short for shock value. We need more places like The Glory in our lives where we can just be ourselves and not judge others based on their appearance or behavior. It's a shame it's gone now, but I'm glad its spirit lives on 🌈💖
 
I gotta disagree with this whole nostalgia trip about The Glory 🤔. Like, don't get me wrong, it sounds like an amazing spot for people to express themselves and be accepted... but what about all the drama and toxic behavior that often comes with those kinds of spaces? I mean, you're talking about a place where people are encouraged to be their wildest selves, but what's to stop some folks from getting out of hand and being super hurtful or manipulative? 🤷‍♀️ It sounds like The Glory was more about letting loose than actually creating a safe space for everyone. And let's be real, the whole "it's all about community" thing can be code for "we're all in this together... as long as you fit in". I'm not saying it wasn't fun while it lasted, but let's not sugarcoat the messy reality of places like that 😒
 
I'm not buying this nostalgia trip about The Glory being some kinda utopia of inclusivity 🤔. Just 'cause it was known for outrageous antics doesn't mean it wasn't also full of drama and cliques. And what's with the "harmless" people who turned out to be manipulators? Sounds like a whole lotta cherry-picking to me 🙄. Where are the stories about The Glory's rougher edges, its true impact on the community? Just a bunch of rose-tinted glasses and vague lessons about being accepting...not exactly convincing 💁‍♀️
 
I miss places like that in London 🤷‍♂️. The Glory sounds like an absolute wild ride – I can see why it's such an iconic spot for the LGBTQ+ community. It's crazy how something as chaotic as a pub can be so welcoming and inclusive, though? 🤝 I think that's what makes it so special – people come together despite (or because of) their differences.

But you're right, life is too short for shock value 💁‍♀️. As much as The Glory was a wild ride, its true magic came from the connections and community they built there. That's something we can all learn from, even if it's just by being more accepting and open-minded in our daily lives 🌈.

It's also interesting how you mention people who might not seem like much at first but turn out to be manipulators – I think that's true of any community or group, unfortunately 😐. But overall, The Glory sounds like a place that celebrated individuality and self-expression in the best possible way 💃.
 
still getting over the loss of places like the glory 🤕 those nights were truly unique and i loved how it wasn't just about the drama and performances, it was about creating a space where people felt accepted and could just be themselves 💖 i think that's something we're still missing in clubs and bars today – a sense of community and not just being there for the drinks and music 🍹💃
 
lol what's up with all these nostalgia posts 🙄 i mean, The Glory sounds like a wild place, but isn't it weird that people are still celebrating its "unapologetic weirdness" as if that's a good thing? 🤔 let's be real, it was just a pub with drag shows... not exactly the epitome of inclusivity. and btw, what happened to The Glory's staff and patrons who actually faced harassment or violence at the hands of their community members? 🙃
 
omg i totally get why the glory was so special! 🤩 like, isn't that what nightlife is all about? creating these unforgettable experiences where you let loose and be yourself? it's amazing how some places can tap into that energy and create a sense of community. for me, though, i think its more about finding that balance between living life to the fullest and staying grounded. i mean, yeah, having lovely shoes on your feet is great and all, but at the end of the day, it's about being true to yourself and treating others with kindness 😊.
 
just had to read this about The Glory - reminds me of all the wild nights i've had with friends at karaoke bars 🎤😂 and drag shows like that just bring people together in such a fun way... but what i love most is how it teaches us that being weird & different isn't something to hide, its something to celebrate 💃🏽🌈!
 
I have to say, that place sounds like a real hoot! 🎉 I can imagine how wild and crazy it must've been, especially with those underground drag contests. But you're right, beneath all the shock value, The Glory was about community and acceptance - something we need way more of these days.

It's interesting how you bring up the idea that life is too short for shock value and being unflappable is more important than ever. I think that's a really valuable lesson, especially when it comes to people who don't fit the norm. We should be embracing our weirdness and loving everyone for who they are, not judging them.

It's a shame The Glory is gone now, but as you said, its spirit lives on in us. 💖
 
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